On 17.06.2024, “Sofel-MR” Ltd started a new project – “Support for the transition to a circular economy”, contract number: BG-RRP-3.008-0291-C01, financed under procedure BG-RRP-3.008 “Support for the transition to a circular economy in enterprises”, National recovery and resilience plan.

The main objective of the project is, through investments in new equipment, to implement circular models at “Sofel-MR” Ltd, which lead to improved resource efficiency, optimised use of raw materials and reduction of waste generation during production of paper packaging.

The project’s specific objectives are:

• To reduce the resource footprint by utilising technological waste materials for production purposes;
• To optimise the input of raw materials, respectively – to reduce waste generated during production;
• To expand the use of adhesives of organic origin;
• To contribute to reducing the use of plastic products by offering a high-quality paper alternative;
• To offer products providing the capability for the most energy-efficient transportation thanks to their design.

The project foresees the purchase of 1 Machine for production of paper-bags with flat handles, equipped with modern electronic systems, assemblies and units that allow for better adjustment, precision and speed of the production process. The new technology for the production of paper-bags with flat handles will ensure the resource-efficient production of high-quality products.

The steps for implementation of the project include:

1. Selection of a contractor (from the 1^st to the 4^th month)

2. Concluding a contract for delivery with the selected contractor (from the 5^th to the 6^th month)

3. Delivery of the new equipment (the 6^th to the 13^th month)

4. Installation and commissioning into service. Signing of the Acceptance-Handover Protocol for delivery (the 13^th to the 14^th month)

The results expected from the project’s implementation are the following:

• reduction of the amount of waste generated during the production of paper packaging by 5%;
• reduction of the use of plastics in the activity by introducing bags with handles that do not have a plastic window;
• contribution to the reduced use of plastic packaging;
• reduction of the use of polymer adhesives in favour of adhesives of biological origin;
• ensuring compliance with the Ordinance on packaging (NOOO) (Art. 4, par. 1, item 3) by introducing paper-bags suitable for multiple use, with firmly glued elements and manufactured from thicker paper;
• increased energy efficiency during the transportation of the produced bags by reducing the sizes of unfolded bags by 15%.

The total budget of the project is BGN 1 060 000, of which BGN 530 00.00 are financed by the European Union under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, while national co-financing is BGN 0.

Project activities are planned to be fulfilled until 17.08.2025.

This publication has been created with the financial support of NextGenerationEU of the European Union. “Sofel-MR” Ltd is responsible for the entire contents of the document and under no circumstances it shall be assumed that this document reflects the official position of the European Union or the Ministry of Innovation and Growth.